THE Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa, last Thursday assisted local police to trap a Kwekwe City Council employee who had been allegedly making illegal water connections to disconnected residents in return for bribes.
By BLESSED MHLANGA
Cleophas Simbarashe Chiremba appeared before resident magistrate Taurai Manwere on Friday facing criminal abuse of duty as a public officer after he was found in possession of $50 note trap money.
The State led by Fortunate Mbizvo alleged that Chiremba approached owners of 1 Jacaranda property which had had its water supplies cut off by council over none payment of bills and demanded for a bribe so that he could reconnect them.
The owners who are not named in court papers then approached Obert Chinhamo of the Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern African, who with the assistance of the local police set up a trap. Chiremba was arrested while leaving the property after he re-connected water supplies to the house.
“Accused person reconnected the water meter leading to his subsequent arrest and recovery of a hacksaw, a pair of pliers and $50 note which was the trap money from his right back trousers pocket,” part of the State outlineread.
The court remanded him in custody to March 12 for trial. The financially-strapped local authority has over the past month disconnected water supplies to several consumers in the Midlands city in a bid to recover over $14 million owed in water arrears.
